http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Simon-Jones/Blog Simon Jones's Weekly Blog updates Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:31:32 2012 Runnerslife Runnerslife RSS Generator 1.0 en-us http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/includes/images/runnersprofile/speaight.jpg http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog 200 150 A Happy New Year to all! hope that everyone had a great Christmas and New Year, and welcome to this new exciting site.  Christmas was quite quiet for me initially, but then went off to do some skiing in Switzerland on Boxing day and catch up with some friends over there http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/2009-will-be-a-good-year/10 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/2009-will-be-a-good-year/10 Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:54:15 GMT Hi guys, time for my second blog.  Can't belive that it is already 11th Jan.  Still just another two days and I'll be off with James to Bermuda and then onto New York!  As I said in my last blog, I had considered calling it a day, but then this http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/week-ending-11th-jan-2009/16 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/week-ending-11th-jan-2009/16 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:07:41 GMT   Hi guys, Well it has been a good week here in Bermuda, even if the weather hasn't.  I was really hoping to get at least a little bit of sun to top the tan up, but alas it has pretty much been raining the whole time.  We did manage a cheeky http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bermuda-2009/24 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bermuda-2009/24 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:16:36 GMT Hi guys, As I am having a slightly lazy day today thought I would take the time to write a blog now.  So far New York has been awesome and I have managed to get lots of things into my days.  Arrived a few hours late on Tuesday and was just http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/new-york-jan-2009/28 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/new-york-jan-2009/28 Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:42:43 GMT So back home in the land of the living.  Fortunately I had a great flight back on Virgin Atlantic and managed to get four seats to myself at the back of the plane, best seats in the house when you can completely lie out flat and sleep.  Being so tall http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-home/32 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-home/32 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:03:19 GMT So having got back from New York I was hoping for a good weeks training.  Tuesday went really well, was happy with the session and felt very strong.  Thursday was supposed to be more of race preparation stuff but it was so cold that I just couldn't get moving.  Felt http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/week-ending-1st-feb-2009/38 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/week-ending-1st-feb-2009/38 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:41:02 GMT So has been a good weeks training for me so far so pretty happy.  The snow on Monday was not too bad and still managed a good run of just over an hour, although to be safe I didn't run hard and saved the tempo till Wendsday night.  Tuesday was http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/thanks-to-the-irish/45 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/thanks-to-the-irish/45 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:02:31 GMT Firstly just wanted to say thanks for all the support I receive on here and elsewhere.  It helps to know that you are being appreciated at least in some quarters! I shall start with Thursday night's training.  I wrote in my last blog that the snow hadn't really affected the track http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-weekend-in-belfast/51 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-weekend-in-belfast/51 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:36:11 GMT So thought I would write a blog pre and post National Champs.  This week has been a little indifferent with the weather conspiring against me.  I would say it is the same for everyone, but that isn't actually true as some have indoor facilities that they are able to utilize, http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/ready-for-the-nationals-dwain/56 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/ready-for-the-nationals-dwain/56 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:03:52 GMT It’s been 2006 since I last trod the boards at the National Champs and I have to say it was good to be back.  I drove up on the day of the heats, trying to save some money on hotels and also as the race was pretty late it wasn’t http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/national-indoors-2009/59 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/national-indoors-2009/59 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 13:03:20 GMT So my week was lot better in terms of a build up training wise.  No snow to disrupt things and actually two really good training nights on Tuesday and Thursday enabled me to get a couple of good sessions in.  I repeated the 6 x 400 session on Tuesday which went http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/the-british-grand-prix/66 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/the-british-grand-prix/66 Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:29:10 GMT Hi all.  Thought I'd take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words in regards selection.  Fortunately my letter arrived Tuesday morning and so I am now really looking forward to running for Great Britain again.  Trying to go into these Championships with as relaxed attitude as possible.  Obvioulsy http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/gb-call-up/69 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/gb-call-up/69 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:04:20 GMT Firstly I would like to echo everyones sentiments and wish Steve and Maria congratulations on the news of her pregnancy.  Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly... So back to this last week.  Since the last race at the British Grand Prix I have had a couple of really good days training, http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/last-few-days-prep/74 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/last-few-days-prep/74 Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:42:50 GMT Well back in the land of the living now and I have had time to reflect on the Champs.  Obviously I was very disappointed in my run during the final, but I was so tired I just didn’t have the legs!  Indoor running can sometimes give a strange perspective on http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/the-european-indoor-championships-turin-2009/78 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/the-european-indoor-championships-turin-2009/78 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:07:11 GMT Had a great few days in Switzerland, although I have to say I really didn´t want to come home, and would love to be able to have some sort of income so that I could stay their permanently.  It is at the moment impossible as I don´t speak the language.  I http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-to-it/89 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-to-it/89 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:25:52 GMT Things have been mixed these last few days.  The sessions have been solid, not trying to overdo things, just nice and easy back into the longer stuff and building up the mileage.  Had a good session last week and again on Tuesday so happy with that.  The long running however http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/26th-march-2009/97 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/26th-march-2009/97 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:34:00 GMT So in 25 years of traveling I have never missed a flight, and there have been quite a few!  Anyway I am in Switzerland and was booked on a flight last night.  I had been on the same one the other week and stupidly didn´t even bother to check the http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/missed-flight/100 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/missed-flight/100 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:14:54 GMT I have had a mixed week really training wise.  For some reason a few days ago my calf started to hurt, although when I think back, it could have been even a few weeks ago, as I remember coming off a track session the other week and they were really http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-to-racing/112 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-to-racing/112 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:17:40 GMT Yesterday was the wedding of James and Alexandra Thie.  They are by now somewhere in Vagas having a great time, but everyone had a fantastic time celebrating their special day.  Obviously having been together for so long it was about time!!  Joking aside it was a perfect day, given the dodgy http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/james-and-alexs-wedding/119 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/james-and-alexs-wedding/119 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:20:39 GMT   Its been a really tough few weeks for me and I have had to nurse my leg back into a reasonable shape good enough to take my place in the Bels team for the road relays.  Since finishing the Southerns in lots of pain, I had about 5 days off http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/national-12-stage-road-relays/125 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/national-12-stage-road-relays/125 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:08:24 GMT Thought for what it’s worth I would put my hat in the ring regards Ian´s article and the fact the other boys had commented.  I have mixed views, firstly I like IS and although he is a little frank, I like that.  I have always preferred people who just tell http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/old-timers/131 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/old-timers/131 Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:45:10 GMT   Having toned down training a bit over the last few months due to my body struggling to cope with all the aches and pains that come with training at least twice a day, the idea of just enjoying getting out running without any pressure, having a full indoor season and http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/parents-birthday/141 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/parents-birthday/141 Tue, 05 May 2009 14:57:58 GMT Had a great week down in Wales, and although it is a long way to travel I had a really productive time.  Firstly would like to thank Simon´s Mum and Dad for putting me up.  I think their food bill went up quite a bit, but hopefully I was a http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/wales/145 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/wales/145 Mon, 11 May 2009 10:04:25 GMT Well it's been a busy week trying to sort all my stuff out and loose ends, as I finally got everything done and dusted for me to relocate to Switzerland and move in with my girlfriend!  Have been planning this a while, and was my big news I mentioned in http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/new-beginnings/150 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/new-beginnings/150 Sun, 17 May 2009 20:11:49 GMT Well it has been a great first week for me here.  I have done some good milage, been down the track, met some great people and the weather has been incredible so I have got a tan!!  What more can you want....The only problem with being here is the expense, http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/great-first-week/155 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/great-first-week/155 Sat, 23 May 2009 18:56:17 GMT Well things had been progressing quite nicely although i am short of the old longer reps at race pace. SOme of this has been down to the track repeatedly closed due to meetings or bank holidays.  Still I have been confident that things would be fine and slowly take shape.  Last week http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/nicht-gut/163 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/nicht-gut/163 Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:52:50 GMT Well thought that this might happen, but you always think you can tough it out, sadly this was not to be.  I hate pulling out of races, and although my achilles was sore last week I still felt that when I was in racing mode then I could put the http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bad-day-at-office/171 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bad-day-at-office/171 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:06:29 GMT Well I think that is it for the season now for me.  Very disappointing.  I don't think that I have had to cancel a season ever!!  However my achilles have just got too bad.  I decided to take time off after Kassel and see where I was at, struggling a http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bad-to-worse/176 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bad-to-worse/176 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:44:02 GMT Well, not much been happening to be honest, life ambles along but my running has halted!!  The achilles are still both sore and although I have been doing a little cycling and walking, plus the usual exercises they just don't want to make any sort of recovery.  It is difficult http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/life-goes-on/186 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/life-goes-on/186 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:25:24 GMT I was going to write a long blog but time ran away from me and I am off out to a music festival.  Shall write a proper one tomorrow.     Sp8y     http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-to-be-back/195 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-to-be-back/195 Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:38:28 GMT Sorry about yesterday, as explained was in a hurry and didn't get around to posting a good blog as was off out to the Gurten festival.  This is basically a massive hill that overlooks Bern and every year they have a big music festival of around 40,000 people.  It is http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-to-be-back-2/198 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-to-be-back-2/198 Sun, 19 Jul 2009 11:19:14 GMT Well we had a really good weekend in Germany at a wedding, although the weather was rubbish.  It took 7 and half hours to drive and the rain was terrible.  You know when you have the windscreen wipers on full blast and you overtake a lorry and can't see anything, http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/tough/221 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/tough/221 Fri, 31 Jul 2009 09:23:01 GMT I thought that I would add a quick blog before I go away for the weekend.  Kati and I off to a wedding in Germany but going for a few days so that shall be good fun and great for her to get an extra day off work!   Just quickly the http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/training-again/209 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/training-again/209 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:34:20 GMT Can't believe that we are already quarter way through August, this week has gone so fast it is crazy!  Still the good news is that I am training everyday and it is slowly starting to get easier.  I have my training plan set out for the next month or so http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/slightly-better/232 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/slightly-better/232 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:25:19 GMT The Aare is a very fast river that runs from the Alps through lake Thun through Bern and off towards the Rhine.  It is very fast and has an incredible green colour.  Yesterday as the weather was stunning we decided to get the train to Thun about 40k away, armed http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/the-aare/243 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/the-aare/243 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:21:39 GMT Last Thursday the parents came into town for a long weekend visit which was great fun and good to see them.  Dad came out on the bike with me a couple of times to help with my training and we did some great hikes to take in some of the http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/parents/255 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/parents/255 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:21:15 GMT Its been very hectic the last few days with a move to a new flat on Monday, lots of work, a broken down hired van when in the middle of moving and boxes everywhere.  Still settled in nicely now and loving the place and the views from the balcony.  Just http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/moving/267 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/moving/267 Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:18:48 GMT This last week we have been away in Germany visiting Kati's parents which has been great, no money for a holiday so took the opportunity to stay here for a while and after the move it was nice to get away, especially for Kati who has been working really hard. http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/holiday/278 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/holiday/278 Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:54:39 GMT The rest of the week in Germany was great and I managed to get some good hour run training in.  I was hoping to be cracking out some really good sessions and keeping in touch with my speed, but unfortunately I am in too much pain if I try and http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/no-fast-sessions/284 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/no-fast-sessions/284 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:25:31 GMT Last weekend was the Southern Relays, a real good start to the Autumn road season, the curtain raiser before the National in a few weeks time, where all the top teams will do battle at Sutton Park.  Already the talk of possible teams from the likes of NEB, Shettleston and http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/busy-weekend/293 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/busy-weekend/293 Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:28:10 GMT Well it has been a good week for me all round, training has gone pretty well, the German course has been great and the weather fantastic!   Since I got back from the Southern Relays I have upped the mileage slightly especially at the weekends, last week I hit my first http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-week/303 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/good-week/303 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:29:57 GMT Well looks like the forum has started with more Neil bashing.  Firstly, for those who are genuinely interested in what I do apologies for not posting sooner, but I have been very busy since I got back from the race.  My blogs have always been updated regularly, so have no http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/busy/315 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/busy/315 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:31:58 GMT This week has gone really well for me.  The last few weeks regards the German have been really hard work, but things seem to be sinking in a little more, I just need to improve the vocabulary at my disposal, which is woefully lacking right now.  I seem to use http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/not-bad/323 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/not-bad/323 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:46:11 GMT This last few weeks have been great both training and otherwise.  Last Saturday I joined a few of the Swiss boys for a training run at the top of a local mountain.  Well not sure about mountain but it is another few hundred metres higher than here.  Anyway, fortunately we http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/no-longer-an-alien/330 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/no-longer-an-alien/330 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:55:34 GMT I can't quite believe that it is mid-November already. So much has happened this year and yet it has gone really quickly.  People always tell me they go quicker the older you get, certainly feeling that!!    Training has gone well last couple of weeks, although trying to get a bit quicker http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/already-mid-november/342 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/already-mid-november/342 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:32:45 GMT Fortunately not for me, having raced again last night I despair at the state of events and running in Britain.  Not to take away from the hard work that the guys who put some of these races on, like the Normans, they do a great effort, but we are seriously http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/despair/346 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/despair/346 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:05:23 GMT So the snow has finally started to fall here.  To be fair we have been so lucky thus far.  The weather for November has been amazing really and very mild.  All the ski resorts were due to open last week and couldn't as there was no snow.  Last year they http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/finally-the-snow/355 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/finally-the-snow/355 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:50:34 GMT I just wanted to take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to 'Pistol' Pete Holmes family and friends.   I didn't know the guy but it was clear from his many posts, the tributes now on the site, and tireless work on eightlane, amoungst other things, that he will be sorely http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/sad-news/364 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/sad-news/364 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:39:24 GMT Flew back to blighty on Monday to see family and friends for Christmas.  As we are spending the actual Christmas week in Germany, it is a good opportunity to have my family one now. Having been away for a few months, it is really nice to be back and my http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-in-blighty/372 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/back-in-blighty/372 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:17:36 GMT Well here we are at the end of another year.  This one has been pretty eventful, filled with highs and lows running wise, but has certainly seen some massive changes for me.   Started with a great indoor season, probably the best of my career in terms of consistency, training and http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/last-one-of-2009/384 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/last-one-of-2009/384 Thu, 31 Dec 2009 10:47:36 GMT Happy New Year to everyone.  Hope that you all had a good Christmas break and New Years Eve.  Pretty quiet for me, as we decided to stay in because unfortunately Kati was working both New Years Eve and again on New Years Day at 8am!  Still they usually seem to http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/happy-new-year/392 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/happy-new-year/392 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:34:05 GMT Happy New Year to everyone.  Hope that you all had a good Christmas break and New Years Eve.  Pretty quiet for me, as we decided to stay in because unfortunately Kati was working both New Years Eve and again on New Years Day at 8am!  Still they usually seem to http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/happy-new-year/393 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/happy-new-year/393 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:34:37 GMT First off sorry for the delay in my blogs.  I simply have not had internet access for the past two weeks.  My laptop is broken and now back to using a desktop, and I wasn't able to get that in my hand luggage! So just got back from Bermuda and New http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/mixed-fortunes/412 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/mixed-fortunes/412 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:21:14 GMT Race report up!  :-) http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bermuda-mile/418 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/bermuda-mile/418 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:53:17 GMT I always thought that you really had to achieve something very special to announce that you are retiring from a sport and I was happy, as an old guy in running terms,  just to call it a day and walk away.  However, Simon asked if I would write a little http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/last-blog/425 http://www.runnerslife.co.uk/Neil-Speaight/Blog/last-blog/425 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:26:42 GMT